We recently connected with CERANDA and have shared our conversation below.
CERANDA, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
One of the biggest risks I have ever taken was moving to Los Angeles. It was 2021 just after the hard shock of COVID-19 and my best friend and I took a month-long trip from Austin, Texas to LA to network and find a place to maybe move to in the future. We had no idea when we left Texas that we would not be going back. That month we spent here changed everything for us and made it clear we needed to stay despite having existing rent obligations in another city. The risk was evident, especially financially, but I still know it was the best decision ever made.
CERANDA, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is CERANDA, and I am from a small town in South Texas. Music has always been a central part of my life, thanks to my dad’s band, my mom’s dancing, and my older sister’s love for pop music and pop culture. Growing up in cheerleading also played a huge role. From the moment I could speak, I wanted to be a singer, and everything else fell into place from there. At age 12, I taught myself how to play the piano and by 13, my dad put me on stage, helping me develop my performance skills. After high school I went on to study classical voice and piano in college.
I started my journey singing country music, but as I moved to bigger cities, my musical tastes evolved. In 2019, I fell in love with EDM and rediscovered my passion for pop music, which I was obsessed with as a kid. This led me to my true desire to create music that captures that nostalgic, feel-good energy. So, I moved to LA to find collaborators who shared my passion.
I am currently working with music producer Nick Kauffman on my debut album, and I couldn’t be more excited about the music we’re creating. My art is all about true girl pop and innovation, keeping fans guessing about what I’ll do next. I’m inspired by maximalist pop, which means high-energy music, glossy visuals, extravagant performances, and everything familiar to those who grew up with artists like Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Kesha.
I draw inspiration from many pop stars, each for different reasons, and I find pieces of myself in all of them. I’m proud of my achievements so far, including opening for Kesha at a club in LA last summer, creating music videos that have garnered hundreds of thousands of views, and connecting with fans who truly just get it.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing how my art moves people. When I write a song, it always stems from a place of genuine experience or emotion. One thing the internet has taught us is that no one is alone—there’s always someone out there with a similar story or experience. Connecting with those people through art and music is truly beautiful and means a lot to me.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
The goal and mission driving my creative journey right now is to never stop having fun as an artist. The industry and business side of things can sometimes drain the passion out of creativity. I’m consciously fighting this feeling, and while it’s not always easy, it helps me stay internally at peace, which allows me to create more freely. The best advice I’ve heard from another artist is: “First, the art has to be for you.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/ceranda
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceranda_xo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cerandaxo
- Twitter: https://x.com/ceranda_xo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CERANDAXO
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ceranda
Image Credits
Robbie Joseph